Mercyhurst University’s Municipal Police Academy graduates 24 cadets in Class 127

Mercyhurst celebrated Class 127 of the Municipal Police Training Academy during a commencement ceremony held Wednesday, June 24, in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. The event honored the commitment and achievements of 24 cadets who have successfully completed their training.

Class 127 graduates include Alex Anderson, Dominic Bertolasio, Drew Brown, Jaydon Chase, Erick Conners, Isaac Davis, David Emanuel, Reece Ferguson, Darren Forster, Seth Fuller, Grant Girts, Brady Godlewski, Blaise Grover, Samuel Harmston, William Innes, Michael Lee, Cameron Magee, Alex Maldonado, Kyle Roqueplot, Josh Stone, Matthew Stone, Blake Taylor, Bradley Wathan, and Andrew Youngs.

From this year’s graduates, two are headed to Titusville Police Department (PD), two to Corry PD, one to Conneaut Lake Regional PD, one to Bradford PD, one to LECOM, one to Mercyhurst, and one to UPMC Hamot.

Academy Director Bill Hale oversaw this event, which featured guest speaker and Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz. Cadets were awarded their graduation certificates, with Reece Ferguson receiving the Frank J. Baranyai Award as the Outstanding Cadet.

This full-time, 940-plus hour intensive course fulfills the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer’s Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) minimum training requirements for Pennsylvania entry-level law enforcement officers.

Designed for inspiring peace officer recruits, this course teaches fundamental principles, procedures, and techniques of law enforcement, equipping students with the skills necessary for many positions within the criminal justice system, such as police officers, park rangers, municipal authority officers.

Family members, friends, and local law enforcement officials joined university leaders in recognizing these graduates for their accomplishments and eager to see where their professional journey takes them.

The academy is located at 5999 State Route 89 in North East.